Citizen McCain with Meghan McCain

Longtime Citizen McCain fans might remember our original YouTube interview with Senator Ted Cruz... the one that mysteriously disappeared. As a Thanksgiving treat, we're bringing it back! Cruz joins Meghan McCain & Miranda Wilkins to talk his beef with Jimmy Kimmel, Tom Segura, his college roommate, the Zodiac Killer accusations, and the growing buzz that he may challenge J.D. Vance in the 2028 GOP primary. Enjoy this throwback while you dive into pumpkin pie. Happy Thanksgiving from Citizen McCain & 2Way! Many thanks to our sponsors! COZY EARTH: Use promo code MCCAIN for up to 40% off HONEYLOVE: Save 20% off by going to honeylove.com/MCCAIN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Thanksgiving week episode of Citizen McCain, Meghan and Miranda celebrate the season of giving, swap favorite holiday traditions, and talk about real ways to support families in need, from food banks and adopt-a-family programs to paying off layaways. The conversation gets heated as they dig into the viral discourse around Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's dramatic weight loss during the press tour for 'Wicked,' and what feels like a cultural return to "heroin chic" just as Hollywood and social media glamorize Ozempic. They also break down Marjorie Taylor Greene's surprise resignation from Congress and the growing civil war inside the GOP, fueled by antisemitism, conspiracy obsession, and the sudden split between MAGA influencers and traditional conservatives. Meghan, Miranda, and guest Christine Rosen react to the shockingly cozy Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zohran Mamdani, now being dubbed a political lovefest, and what it signals for New York, the future of the party, and the pro-Israel fight on the right. Later, Ryan Manion joins to share how military families navigate grief during the holidays, the mission of the Travis Manion Foundation, and her new children's book, "Things My Brother Used to Say." Plus: Douche & Darling of the Week, advertisers we're thankful for, and a gravy-kayak goodbye to Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/MCCAIN #honeylovepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Girdusky is filling in for Miranda who is out sick, he and Meghan have a lot of chaos to unpack. They break down the Epstein files fight in Congress, why Speaker Johnson and Trump keep tripping over their own messaging, and what Democrats are really hoping to find. Ryan explains Clay Higgins’ lone “no” vote, Stacey Plaskett reading from Epstein’s email scripts, and how much of this is about justice for victims versus 2026/2028 politics. Then they get into the growing rift on the right: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s very public break with Trump, the “America Only” faction, and what it all means for Vice President J.D. Vance heading into 2028. Ryan and Meghan talk about independents, the Republican primary map, how long Trump actually controls the party, and why “internet right-wing” vibes don’t match what real voters care about. There is also reaction to Michelle Obama’s “America isn’t ready for a woman president” comments and her never-ending complaining on that podcast tour, talk Target’s surprising sales slump even as moms like Meghan and Miranda are still basically living there, and finish with a little Real Housewives of Salt Lake City gossip. Live audience questions from Haylee and Mallory keep the conversation grounded in what independents and center-right women are really thinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan and Miranda kick things off in matching green sweaters (not planned, allegedly) and a confession: Meghan has already ditched fall for full Christmas mode. From early decorations to Rankin-Bass Christmas classics and Elf on repeat, they ask the audience the big question... is it too early for Christmas? Then it’s pop culture time: reviews of Netflix’s Death by Lightning (Nick Offerman and Matthew MacFadyen as Garfield & his assassin), a hate-watch defense of Kim Kardashian’s All’s Fair, a spooky rec for All Her Fault on Peacock, and all the chaos from BravoCon — including Vicki getting her orange back, Lisa Rinna manifesting, and rumors of a Nene/Kim Ultimate Girls Trip. CNN Senior Global Affairs Analyst and author Bianna Golodryga joins to talk about her new book Don’t Feed the Lion and how to actually teach kids to recognize and fight antisemitism. They dig into rising Jew-hatred from both the far right and far left, continued fallout from Tucker Carlson’s softball interview with Nick Fuentes, the grotesque “America First, America Only” cockroach video from Matt Gaetz's producer, AIPAC as a political dog whistle, and why so many institutions still tiptoe around antisemitism. Meghan and Miranda then tackle the Epstein files, Megyn Kelly’s “barely legal” comments about underage girls, and why trying to nuance the age of abuse victims is dangerous and unacceptable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan and Miranda kick things off with birthday love for Miranda's now 9-year-old daughter Coco and Miranda’s big 4-0 before diving into the only movie news that matters in their world: Aunt Gladys is getting her own Weapons prequel and the girls are feral for it. Daily Mail’s Nikki Schwab pops in to talk Trump’s disastrous Laura Ingraham interview, his sudden love of H-1B visas, that bonkers 50-year mortgage idea, and why the GOP keeps face-planting on the economy and inflation. They also unpack the chaos over Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom, chemtrail conspiracies, and Tucker Carlson’s demon-scratch era, Meghan and Harry’s mysteriously deleted Kardashian party pics, and JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg launching the weirdest congressional run in New York. Plus: Arby’s cheeseburger gospel, listener “Douche & Darling” of the week, and a homework assignment to watch Death by Lightning before Monday’s show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airports are melting down, voters are fed up, and the holidays are coming. Meghan and Miranda talk travel chaos, then welcome longtime friend S.E. Cupp to unpack GOP infighting, Michelle Obama’s “glam” comment, and the weirdest Vogue cover we’ve seen. Plus: Kris Jenner’s billionaire birthday bash, BravoCon buzz, and how to survive Thanksgiving politics without losing your mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York's big blue night, Virginia's seismic shift, and what it all means next. Meghan and Miranda unpack the wins, losses, and the data points behind them. From Zohran Mamdani's momentum to Abigail Spanberger's statewide strength, plus the GOP's message problem on affordability. Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Dakota Meyer drops in with blunt advice for Republicans, thoughts on civics (yes, even Kentucky's "no election" confusion), and why leaders need to meet voters where they are. Also: women's spaces and locker rooms, our "Douchebag & Darling" of the week, Miranda's spicy defense of Kim Kardashian's 'All's Fair,' and weekend homework: Netflix's 'Death by Lightning.' Subscribe, rate, and leave a comment, we're reading them on air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Citizen McCain today, it’s election-day in Virginia. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears joins Meghan and Miranda with her closing argument to voters. Then Mary Katharine Ham on the right’s antisemitism problem, the Tucker/Fuentes flap, and why pushback matters. We’ll also hit NYC’s mayoral race and Jon Stewart’s future at The Daily Show. Tap to listen, and help us hit 25,000 on YouTube at youtube.com/@CitizenMcCain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween! Meghan & Miranda welcome horror powerhouse C. Robert Cargill (Black Phone 2, Sinister, Doctor Strange) for a full-tilt spooky special: why horror is booming, when “elevated” became mainstream, and which scares actually stick. We hit 28 Years Later, Weapons, Shelby Oaks, found-footage faves, the Conjuring/Annabelle obsession, and yes... Ethan Hawke as a horror icon. Plus: our new “Douchebag & Darling of the Week,” a Blair Witch confession, and the definitive Halloween rewatch: The Changeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bret Baier joins Meghan and Miranda to break down his new book, To Rescue the American Spirit (Teddy Roosevelt!), how the current Trump White House compares to 2017, and whether he’s actually jumping to the CBS Evening News. Later, journalist Nomiki Konst explains the Zohran Mamdani wave in NYC, what it means for national Democrats, and how the left is organizing differently. Plus: Lily Allen’s blistering new album, the David Harbour fallout, and Miranda’s theater-kid receipts.  Subscribe on YouTube, we’re 1,500 subs from 25K by Thanksgiving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Citizen McCain! Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@CitizenMcCainYouTube. Today we dive into a packed lineup: Maine Senate uproar: Democrat Graham Platner’s chest tattoo resembles the Nazi Totenkopf; he defends it as a random marine-liberty skull. We dissect the story, the Pod Save interview, and why this “drunken tattoo” defense doesn’t wash. Heist of the year: The Louvre jewel robbery and the alleged “Pink Panther” gang... how did thieves waltz out at 9:30am? Royal reckoning: With Lady Sarah Elliott on Prince Andrew’s titles (what “not using” actually means), Fergie’s duchess fallout, and how William may slim down the monarchy. We also talk Harry & Meghan’s rumored return and Kate’s recovery. Guest interview: Erika Donalds (AFPI; founder, OptimaEd) on school choice, Florida’s next chapter, juvenile justice, being an interracial conservative family, and why the left’s identity attacks keep flopping. Media & culture: Jen Psaki’s book-tour spin on Biden’s cognition, Dem messaging drift, DNC/RNC energy, Obama library aesthetics, and that eyebrow-raising Kristen Bell/Dax Shepard anniversary caption. Annabelle update: Viewer Emily meets the infamous doll at ScareFest and tells us what the setup was like, whether anything… followed her home, and why the case is staying shut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan and Miranda are joined by former Rep. George Santos, fresh out after 84 days served (including 41 days in solitary confinement) with his federal sentence commuted by President Trump. He walks us through the moment-to-moment reality of prison (moldy ceilings, expired food, the “shoe”), how he coped, who helped, and why he wants to channel the experience into prison reform and case review work (a la Alice Marie Johnson). We also hit: Why he says he was moved to solitary & how “protective custody” works. Mental health, re-entry, and the very relatable first shower/La Mer/skincare binge! NY politics: NYC mayoral race, congestion pricing, Kathy Hochul’s vulnerabilities, and whether Elise Stefanik could win statewide Culture break: J.Lo’s historic box-office flop, Katy Perry + Trudeau rumor mill, and the “diva down/diva up” jokes. On Kamala Harris’ book & Pete Buttigieg: do voters care about identity, or competency? P.S. Miranda’s live from Las Vegas (yes, that Flamingo sign), and the Cheryl Hines interview is up now on YouTube — thanks for the love on that one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan opens with a family update on Cindy McCain and reacts to the return of Israeli hostages. Then former Biden White House comms chief of staff Yemisi Egbewole joins to dissect the Katie Porter viral clips, why Democrats keep losing the message war, and what a winning platform looks like (hint: focus on the monthlies - housing, food, utilities). They hit Spanberger vs. Winsome Sears, the Jay Jones text scandal, AIPAC tensions, and 2026. Plus: the pop-culture cool-down... Trudeau & Katy Perry, J.Lo’s musical misfire, and Denzel stories from the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist Leland Vittert joins Meghan and Miranda to talk Israel, the post–October 7 climate, and why moral clarity still matters. He opens up about his book 'Born Lucky' - growing up autistic, bullying, tough-love parenting, and reflects on leaving Fox. They also talk about shutdown politics, and America’s reaction after the Charlie Kirk assassination, including the Roblox lawsuit over extremist content. Then Meghan & Miranda break down Katie Porter’s viral interview walk-off, press accountability vs. thin skin, and what it signals about leadership temperament. Finally, Clay Aiken goes behind the curtain on Broadway economics: why so many new shows aren’t recouping, when stunt-casting helps (and when it tanks a production), the Kennedy Center Honors lineup, and that viral Les Mis clip. Plus: Clay’s 17-year-old son completes his first solo flight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan and Miranda welcome their old friend Kennedy (Fox News host, Kennedy Saves the World) for a spirited culture-and-politics rundown. They dive into Taylor Swift’s new album and why it feels more “product” than “poetry,” the Ophelia/Hamlet debate, the fan backlash over endless versions, and the Charli XCX dust-up (plus Sabrina Carpenter cameos, Lana/George Michael echoes, and more). They also hit Bad Bunny’s 'SNL' moment and Super Bowl chatter, the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy (free speech vs. Saudi human-rights reality), and anxieties about NYC’s political direction. Then Ilya Shapiro (Manhattan Institute; author of 'Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites') joins to discuss his NYU talk being canceled... and then uncanceled. The attack of free speech on campus, antisemitism since October 7th, and which universities are actually handling protests and policy enforcement like adults. Subscribe on YouTube: @CitizenMcCainYouTube | IG: @CitizenMcCain | TikTok: @citizen.mccain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachael Bade joins Meghan & Miranda to preview our live Pence interview and dive into Rahm Emanuel's Iowa swing, Newsom's meme-war strategy, the AOC '28 buzz, Spanberger/Sherrill tea, and the post-tragedy political climate. Plus: Riyadh Comedy Festival backlash, Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl, and the Rowling–Emma Watson rift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan (fighting a mom-cold 🥴) and Miranda react to Jimmy Kimmel’s first night back... the “apology,” the tears, the line about not blaming a group, and the affiliate backlash. Was it accountability or spin? The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles joins to talk about Charlie Kirk’s memorial, campus courage, and why the right’s coalition could splinter without Charlie. Then Mo’Kelly (KFI/iHeartRadio) weighs in on media standards, what the FCC actually covers, and whether late-night can survive in a post-appointment-TV world. Meghan and Miranda also get into the TikTok Rapture craze (no man knows the day or the hour, y’all) and end on an extremely important national priority: Sean Evans + Keke Palmer = heal the country? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan and Miranda open with the most-talked-about moment from Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Arizona, Erica Kirk publicly forgiving her husband’s killer, and what that act of faith and restraint means for a grieving movement and a fractured country. They also unpack the media’s reaction, the surge of young churchgoers some listeners are seeing, and whether the Republican Party is entering a more openly Christian era. Then Senator Joe Manchin joins to discuss his new book, Dead Center in Defense of Common Sense, why he chose life on a D.C. houseboat, and the lost art of bipartisan hospitality (yes, he used to host mixed-party dinners: four Dems, four Republicans). Manchin gets candid on closed primaries, the rise of independents, border security vs. legal immigration, putting assets in a blind trust, resisting “party-line” votes, and the McCain/Lieberman model of political courage. He also shares personal stories, from carrying refrigerators up walk-ups as a teen to perfect Italian meatballs (veal/pork/beef) and the history of Harpers Ferry. Plus audience Q&A: a dad on introducing his 16-year-old to public life (and flip phones), a New Yorker on how the press misunderstands Christian worship, and a sober look at rhetoric vs. responsibility after political violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded live on Thursday, September 18. Meghan opens with why she missed Wednesday's show, she was in New York receiving Magen David Adom's "Champion of Israel" award, and talks about her experience in the city. Then Ben Ferguson joins for a full hour to process the assassination of Charlie Kirk: what it's meant for their families, audiences, and the conservative movement; why open debate can't die; and how to grieve without surrendering to hate. Ben shares a harrowing past attempt on his life, the practical security changes many hosts are making, and the case for doubling down on faith, family, and showing up for your people. They dig into the media fallout: late-night's response, the Kimmel controversy, and why "accountability" isn't the same as cancel culture. Plus the online pile-ons and conspiracy-chasing that Charlie's pastor has asked everyone to stop. The conversation ranges from campus safety and the future of "open-air" events to how local action (hello, school boards) can actually move the needle. Listener questions bring real-world organizing tips and a reminder that stepping away from social media can protect your sanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unguarded episode of Citizen McCain, Meghan and Miranda process the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for the country and the culture. They’re joined by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for a candid conversation about grief, faith, and why choosing strength and love over hate is not weakness but resolve. Journalist Salena Zito adds on-the-ground perspective about media blind spots, public safety, and how leaders, and everyday Americans, should think about security without surrendering open debate. Listener call-ins push the discussion further: mental health and accountability, the future of campus events and “open-air” conversations, and how to keep civic dialogue accessible and safe. It’s a heavy episode... honest, questioning, and determined to find a way forward. Note: This episode contains discussion of political violence and may be difficult for some listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices